Comic book burnt for wrong portrayal of history
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 12 2022:
The Joint Students' Coordination Committee (JSCC) has burnt a comic book titled "Tribal leaders of the freedom struggle" published by Amar Chitra Katha for projecting Paona Brajabashi as a freedom fighter who fought in India's freedom struggle.
Notably, JSCC comprises AMSU, MSF, KSA and SUK and they have banned the particular comic book in the whole State.
The JSCC has also asked the Amar Chitra Katha to tender an apology to the people of Manipur at the earliest.
Copies of the comic book were burnt by volunteers of JSCC in front of KSA office at Khoyathong today.
Speaking to media persons after setting the comic book on fire, JSCC convenor S Bidyananda said that they strongly condemn the blunder committed by Amar Chitra Katha.
The comic book 'Tribal leaders of the freedom struggle' published by Amar Chitra Katha under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India projects Paona Brajabashi as a tribal freedom fighter who fought in India's freedom struggle.
Paona Brajabashi was one of the military heroes of Manipur who fought valiantly in the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 and sacrificed his life to protect the sovereignty of Manipur, the convenor said.
The JSCC takes serious note of Amar Chitra Katha's attempt to link the separate history of Manipur with the freedom struggle of India and project Paona Brajabashi as a tribal freedom fighter.
The people of Manipur will never forgive this blunder, he said.
Bidyananda said that no book store should sell the comic book 'Tribal leaders of the freedom struggle' in the State.
The publisher should come with a clarification and tender apology to the people of Manipur, he demanded.
Some other volunteers of JSCC pointed out that Manipur achieved its independence from British colonial rulers one day ahead of India and Manipur drafted its own Constitution much before India did.